TIPEEG is misunderstood

The implementation of the Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth (TIPEEG) took off at a slow pace last year, mostly due to the fact that the general public and stakeholders did not clearly understand the programme and its requirements. This is according to Annely Haiphene of the National Planning Commission.
Haiphene also says the institutions tasked with implementing the programme did not understand its modalities.
“Government has learned that the implementation modalities of TIPEEG and the conditions were not clearly understood by the implementing institutions. It was also learnt that the general public and the stakeholders did not clearly understand TIPEEG and its requirements, it was also realised that information about TIPEEG was not widely communicated to the general public and awareness campaigns need to be enhanced,” she told the Economist.
The Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth a three-year initiative, was adopted in order to create jobs; its main aim is to address the high unemployment rate, while also supporting strategic economic sectors.
The programme is expected to create 104 000 direct and indirect job opportunities. So far, 11 059 permanent and temporary jobs were created through TIPEEG and according to Haiphene, this number may change once the National Planning Commission finalises the collection of actual data on the implementation of TIPEEG projects.
“The implementation of TIPEEG took a slow pace than anticipated during the first year of its implementation. This was largely caused by the new implementation modalities where implementers needed to acquaint themselves with the new approach. The implementation rules were not clearly understood, and as a result, some mistakes occurred in the process which in some cases led to the cancellation of tenders. Nevertheless, those problems were addressed and in 2012 TIPEEG implementation is expected to be faster,” said Haiphene.
Government announced earlier this year that projects under TIPEEG will be rolled out to local authorities in order to ensure that the programme is efficiently implemented.
“It will be more efficient since the projects will be dealt with by the local tender boards. This will hasten the process and ensure that projects are implemented on time because local authorities will no longer send the projects to Windhoek, which may result in delays in some cases.
“Local authorities have been implementing their projects without the assistance of the Central Government. We believe they will be able to implement TIPEEG projects without any problem. However, those that may not have adequate capacity will be assisted by the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development,” Haiphene concluded.
Recently, TIPEEG has come under criticism from opposition political parties, with some stating that it has failed to deliver on its objectives. “The much lauded programme has not been accompanied by a comprehensive study outlining potential economic projects which would serve as a conduit to create employment, generate income and reduce poverty and hunger. The government has rather introduced this programme for short term job creation. This will certainly not resolve the problems of poverty and hunger as a long term solution,” said Kandy Nehova, a member of Parliament and member of the Rally for Democracy and Progress, during the national budget debate earlier this year.